Virginia Creeper

Habitat:

Found throughout the southern, midwestern and eastern half of the United States; also native to northern Mexico and southeastern Canada from Nova Scotia to Ontario. Parks, Forest margins, the borders of clearings, on trees, along fences and stream banks. Thrives in partial shade to full sun. It prefers acidic soil.

Notes:

Very common in the parks and wooded areas around here. I was fascinated by the tips of the tendrils it uses to climb and hold on to things. see detail on the last few photos. They seem like alien fingers with tree frog-like toe pads at the ends and everything. In the second pic you can see some of the fruit. "Warning: Virginia creeper berries are highly toxic to humans and may be fatal if eaten. Its sap can also cause skin irritation in some people." you can read more about this plant here: http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg...